Alexander Coffin

These are my accumulated notes/links/speculation on this dude... I think we have tracked down his parents, but I want these notes stored for future reference.

• **Major note: I was told Peter Coffin was his travelling companion, further research established they were both in NZ, but there is NO indication they knew each other, or were ever in the same place at the same time. I now believe they were complete strangers. Thanks, Dave Coffin

Alexander Coffin (nickname Long Tom Coffin)

Background

In 1840 a young man named Alexander Coffin (nickname Long Tom Coffin) was documented as working in Timaru, NZ at the Rhodes Brothers Whaling Station.Alexander later married a Mary Ainge 24th Aug 1853, never divorced. The marriage must not have went well, because Alexander Jr had a child with Caroline Henrietta Bathurst in 1855, and went on to father a total of 14 children with Caroline. (they never married) It appears the children were named Bathurst, and some later added the Coffin surname.

Family members had the following information:

-He was from Nantucket, MA

-He ran away to sea at the age of 12 years.

-He came out on a whaling ship captained by his uncle, Seth Coffin

-A grandson reported that Alexander left the States in 1832 (Seths last voyage was on Ship Aurora Oct 1823-Dec 1826, Nantucket, MA Pacific Captain Coffin, Seth, Jr.) (Seth's previous voyage was Ship Criterion May 1820 - April 1823 Nantucket, MA Pacific)( Both trips were highly successful, combined Seth would have netted about $600,000 in todays dollars)
said grandson also mentioned the possiblity of of alexander coming fron nova scotia in canada

-Record of him in Timaru NZ in 1840 at the Rhodes Brothers Whaling Station

-he named one of his sons Seth Silverneil after the captain of his ship (Silverneil? no idea)

-Alexander died on 26 July 1901 in Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand.

Timeline:

Born C 1811

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